Officers handcuffed the man when he was arrested and placed him in the back seat of the patrol car, Smith said. They later noticed he appeared to be having medical issues and they called Houston Fire Department paramedics.

Officers removed the handcuffs from the man to allow paramedics to treat him.

Then the officers put him in the back seat of the squad car again, Smith said.

Soon afterward, they saw him apparently swallow some powder cocaine from a hidden bag.

Later, he began having convulsions. Paramedics returned to the scene and took him to the hospital.